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By Erik Gudris/Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Established names like Li Na and rising stars find
themselves battling each other for a spot in this weekend’s
Australian Open finals.
Photo Credit: Corleve
A pair of unexpected women’s semifinals plus another
surprise meeting on the men’s side highlights Day 11 action at
the Australian Open.
No. 4 seed Li Na vs. No. 30 seed Eugenie
Bouchard
In yet another meeting between a popular veteran and a
blossoming newcomer, Li Na faces Canada’s
Eugenie Bouchard. For Li, it’s a return to
familiar territory as she is now into her fourth Australian
Open semi in the last five years. Add in that she is a two-time
finalist and that her success at this event makes it something
of a “home Slam” for her, picking Li to prevail seems like the
wise choice.
But do not count on Bouchard. The 19-year-old Canadian
displayed the steely poise of a much older player in taking out
Ana Ivanovic in the last round. While she
possesses a solid, all-around game, it’s her uncanny ability to
remain calm no matter what is happening that is likely her
biggest weapon.
This one is still all about Li. Since fighting off a match
point against Lucie Safarova a few rounds ago,
she remains the one to beat for the title. But will that
expectation to win her second major title be a blessing or a
burden?
No. 5 seed Agnieszka Radwanska vs. No. 20 seed Dominika
Cibulkova
Radwanska, unofficially now known as “The Ninja”, put on a
bravura performance in upsetting defending champion
Victoria Azarenka in the quarterfinals.
Chasing down shots and making unbelievable winners out of
unbelievable angles, Radwanska elevated her game to a whole new
level that left most tennis fans gasping with appreciation.
Standing in Radwanska’s way is Cibulkova. The plucky Slovakian
outlasted Maria Sharapova in three sets and
then totally romped over last year’s best newcomer
Simona Halep in just an hour. Her high
intensity and very vocal performance against Halep is just what
Cibulkova will need to turn on again in her second ever Grand
Slam semi.
Both women played high quality tennis to reach the final four.
But can they do it again, especially with a chance at a first
Grand Slam title within their grasp? Whoever can avoid a
letdown may just well be the one left standing after this one.
No. 7 seed Tomas Berdych vs. No. 8 seed Stanislas
Wawrinka
It’s “Stan the Man” against “The Berdman” in this surprise yet
welcomed men’s semifinal showdown.
Berdych quietly made his way through the draw on the strength
of very impressive serving numbers including being tops so far
in terms of first serve points won at 85%. The lanky Czech only
dropped serve three times en route to the semifinals, and that
was during his win over David Ferrer in the
last round. If he continues to serve at those numbers, he will
be very difficult to deal with for Wawrinka.
How Wawrinka comes back after his emotional five set win over
Novak Djokovic could be the x factor in all of
this. Wawrinka leads the overall head to head and has won his
last three encounters with Berdych. If Wawrinka returns well
and uses his more varied game against Berdych to full effect,
the Swiss No. 2 will finally see himself into a first ever
Grand Slam final.
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